UIC women's head basketball coach Regina Miller announced Thursday, September 8, 2011 that Marc Lopez has been hired as the team's director of basketball operations.

"Marc is a great addition to our staff," said Miller. "His attention to detail, planning and organizational skills are second to none. Marc's experience at various levels throughout the state of Illinois will be invaluable to our program".

Lopez comes to UIC with a vast array of experience on the basketball coaching scene. Most recently, the Steger, Ill. native served as the head girls' basketball coach for the varsity squad at Bloom Township High School in Chicago Heights, Ill. In two seasons with Lopez at the helm, the Blazing Trojans compiled a record of 35-18.

Prior to the stint at Bloom, Lopez served as a varsity assistant coach and junior varsity head coach at Willowbrook High School for the 2008-09 season and an assistant for the sophomore team during the 2007-08 campaign. Lopez also worked on staff for five summers with the Illinois Wolverines Girls Basketball Club in Chicago Heights, Ill. In 2006, Lopez helped the Wolverines secure the 16-and-under division AAU Illinois State Championship.

Lopez is no stranger to collegiate basketball, either. While attending Eastern Illinois University, where he obtained a degree in general studies in 2009, Lopez served as a team manager for the women's basketball team. At EIU Lopez managed the set-up, planning and operations of both practices and games, organized team equipment and worked with players to enhance their skills on a regular basis.

Prior to attending Eastern Illinois, Lopez spent two years as a student-athlete at Prairie State College in Chicago Heights, Ill. Lopez served as a team captain and was the starting second baseman for the baseball team and as the starting point guard for the men's basketball team.